BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 12, 2010 – Maritza M. Cisneros looked around in amazement the first time she walked onto the stage of The Arts Center at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College on Friday, Feb. 12.

“I thought it was very beautiful,” said Cisneros, 11. “I especially liked the chandelier lights.”

Cisneros, a violin player with Brownsville’s Skinner Elementary School Strings, attended a mid-morning rehearsal in preparation for “A Night of Strings” at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 15, at The Arts Center. Cisneros and 10 other violin and cello players practiced for the first time entering and leaving the stage and playing four concert selections.

The concert benefits student scholarships and is the first scheduled performance during the year-long inaugural celebration for The Arts Center.

The Skinner group’s instructor, music teacher and UTB/TSC graduate Braulio Amaro, watched some of the practice from the balcony of the building’s 808-seat performance hall.

“I was not expecting this at all,” Amaro said in surprise. “I think that’s the best part, that we have a stage that can fit a symphony orchestra. I grew up wanting to be a strings player, but there was nothing like this here in Brownsville.”

Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, chancellor of The University of Texas System, will make a special appearance at the concert.

“I am honored to take part in an event that promotes a heightened awareness of the arts – particularly when it involves and benefits our students,” he said. “I’m confident the Arts Center will further enliven UTB/TSC’s campus and will be a gem for generations of students, faculty and staff – as well as the entire community of Brownsville – to enjoy.”

UTB/TSC Music Academy student Jimena Escobedo Molina, the Brownsville Lopez high School Lobo Guitars, the UTB/TSC One o’Clock Guitars and the UTB/TSC String Ensemble will play with Cigarroa for the concert’s musical finale.

Strings Ensemble member Anahil Suarez, 20, a junior Music Education major from Matamoros, said The Arts Center’s acoustics are the best she has ever experienced at a performance venue.

“I think we are going to do a really good job on this because we have worked hard,” said Suarez, a violin player.

Martha Placeres, an assistant master technical instructor and director of the String Ensemble at UTB/TSC, worked in the afternoon with the String Ensemble on the balance between the different string instruments.

“This is something very rare to see and exciting for us to play in this kind of ensemble,” she said. “We are honored the strings get to play at this important event.”

Concert attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to The Arts Center. Shuttle service will be available between the Education and Business Complex parking lot on University Boulevard and The Arts Center. Parking will also be available at Jacob Brown Auditorium, the Arnulfo L. Oliveira Memorial Library and Gorgas Hall.

Tickets to this event are SOLD Out. For Information, call the UTB/TSC Office of Development at (956) 882-4332.

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